Harappan Civilization( also known as Indus Civilization)

2300-1750 BCE (or 2600-1900 BCE)

The Great Bath

Name derived from one of its major city; Mohenjo Daro “city of the dead,”was another large city. The size of the area is around the size of England, France and Spain combined.

Economy based on the cultivation of wheat, barley and peas, and on trading with the Mesopotamians and others to the west.

Contemporary with the Mid and Old Kingdom of Egypt, the Sumarian, Akkadian, and Old Babylonian periods

No remains of royal tombs, palace, or large public art work.

Harappa

Plan of Harappa

The city was built on a grid pattern in rectangular block; buildings were made of standard size mud or baked bricks; had sewage and drainage systems

large streets Residence house constructed around the

courtyard; up to three stories (estimates had c. 35,000 inhabitants; located on the East side of the city

Granaries and citadel on the West side Baths: provided water for residences or may have

been used for general bathing and ritual ceremonies (made of brick and sealed with bitumen)

Architectural Remains

Great Bath

Made of clay (terracotta, stone, and bronze)

Male and Female figures may represent religious figures which associated with fertility.

Sculptures

Bust of the “priest-king”

Nude Male Figure

Dancing Girl, limestone

Figurine of “Dancing Girl,” bronze

Terracotta figurine

Toy animals made of terracotta

Seals carved with a copper burin, coated with alkali, and baked to glaze the surface; depicted animals (e.g,humped back bull, bull, goat, elephant, crocodile) mythical animals (e.g., unicorn) standing in front of an incense burner or a trough, human figures; more than 4000 have been recovered.

Note: inscription of seals (with 3-10 characters) which are not decipherable; may be used for business as the seals to signify the ownership of traded merchandise; writing disappeared for 1500 years

Seals

Seals

Humped bull

Yogi seal

Hand thrown vessels decorated with red slip and black painted decoration (animals, geometric, floral and vegetation motifs)

Pipal (Figus religiosa) or Bodhi leave

Pottery

Crafted goods and painted pottery

Harappa was highly structured, organized urban culture with an agricultural economy

They probably worshipped gods and goddesses of fertility and have practiced yogic meditation and asceticism.

The destruction of the civilization: flooding and water resources (the shifting of water system)

Summary